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» The Letterville BullBoard » Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk » Graphtec Plotter Question!

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Author Topic: Graphtec Plotter Question!
Kelly Chatham
Visitor
Member # 5664

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My plotter has just started causing me grief!
It seems to be alittle off, causing the letters to be nicked in places when you weed it...of course I've called for help, they only want to sell me a new one. Someone said it might be the spring on the blade????
Has anyone every had this problem...know how to fix it?????

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Kelly Chatham
Kelly's Signs Inc.
5723 Morse Av.
Jax., FL, 32244

Posts: 68 | From: Jacksonville, Fl. | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Mike Faig
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Member # 6104

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I had a problem where the ends of the cut line didn't match up. Went through the test pattern with the pen and all was fine. The tech sold me new blades and a carrier. I still have the problem. I can't cut small letters to this day. Sorry but I don't have the answer.

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Mike
gatlinburg Sign Crafters

Posts: 1051 | From: Gatlinburg, TN | Registered: Oct 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Howard Keiper

Member # 1250

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Kelly...

You don't say how long you've had your plotter or when you last changed your blade; BUT, if it were me,I'd try a new Graphtec blade and maybe a new holder. You should set the FORCE at 14 for starters,
40-50 for SPEED, 3-4 for QUALITY, and CB-09 for offset. That combo will produce the best cuts most of the time no matter what the machine.
Howard Keiper

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Howard Keiper
Independent Contractor
Benicia, Ca.
thekeip@comcast.net

GraphtecUSA

Posts: 409 | From: Benicia, Ca., USA | Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Bill Modzel
Resident


Member # 22

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I went through two of the original blade holders before I sprung for one of the brass head ones like Graphtec used to sell with the old FC2100's. The first one Graphtec replaced under warrantee and the second one I bought outright through my supplier. They did give me a decent discount on it however.
For some reason it seems like some those plastic ones just don't work correctly no matter how you adjust the blade offset.
It is my ONLY complaint with Graphtec.

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Bill Modzel
Mod-Zel screen Printing
Traverse city, MI
modzel@sbcglobal.net

Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Rick Sacks
Resident


Member # 379

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Bill, Where do you get these brass holders? Are they an aftermarket improvement or does Grapftec sell them?

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The SignShop
Mendocino, California

http://www.mendosign.com

Making the simple complicated is commonplace;
making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus

Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Bill Modzel
Resident


Member # 22

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Rick,
They are a Graphtec product and should be available through your dealer. My original was still going strong after 10 years when I sold the 150. The one I bought looked exactly like the original.
Here's a comparison shot.
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Bill Modzel
Mod-Zel screen Printing
Traverse city, MI
modzel@sbcglobal.net

Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Kelly Chatham
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Member # 5664

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My plotter is a CE1000-60. Came with a plastic holder.(did'nt even know they made brass ones!)
I guess I've had it about 7 years?
I have changed the blade, several times but alas....no change.
Im going to try all the things you guys have suggested. THANK YOU ALL for your responses. Its nice to have qualified help with technical stuff. You sure can't get it from Graphtec!

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Kelly Chatham
Kelly's Signs Inc.
5723 Morse Av.
Jax., FL, 32244

Posts: 68 | From: Jacksonville, Fl. | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Howard Keiper

Member # 1250

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Kelly...
The CE1000 never really required tha brass nosepiece holder, and they're fairly expensive if you can still get them at all. They haven't been manufactured for several years and Graphtec will simply run out the existing inventory...may already have, in fact.
However, seven years is a long time for any holder and the current style holder, although plastic, is way more than adequate for your machine. The settings I suggested are still appropriate too.
Howard Keiper

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Howard Keiper
Independent Contractor
Benicia, Ca.
thekeip@comcast.net

GraphtecUSA

Posts: 409 | From: Benicia, Ca., USA | Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Laurie Corl
Visitor
Member # 5324

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Some problems with the blade holders happen when you use blades other than the Graphtec blades. If they're really inexpensive they don't have polished tops and they wear out the thrust bearing in the top of the holder. Then the blade doesn't turn freely. If it's going around a tight curve this could cause a problem with closure. Also play around with the Offset adjustment. As the blade wears, the tip changes position with respect to the center of rotation of the blade.

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Laurie Corl
Same Day Signs
5327 Jacuzzi St. unit 2D
Richmond, California 94803

Posts: 30 | From: Richmond, California | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Brad Farha
Visitor
Member # 931

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There's a company selling aluminum Graphtec replacement blade holders on eBay here. I was thinking about trying one. What do you think about these, Howard?

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Brad Farha, owner
Farha Signs
Beckley, WV
304-252-3778


Posts: 981 | From: Beckley, WV | Registered: Jul 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Howard Keiper

Member # 1250

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WOW...
First I've heard of them, so no opinion.
Wring one out..see what you think.
My take is, that the original will be hard to beat; but if it's to happen, the German's are the one's to pull it off.
Howard

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Howard Keiper
Independent Contractor
Benicia, Ca.
thekeip@comcast.net

GraphtecUSA

Posts: 409 | From: Benicia, Ca., USA | Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

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